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California Schemin'

Play trailer Poster for California Schemin' 2025 1h 47m Drama Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 36 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Two Scottish lads from Dundee conned the music industry by pretending to be an established Californian rap duo, bagging a record deal and appearing on MTV until their scam unraveled.

Critics Reviews

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Peter Travers The Travers Take 1d
2.5/4
Until predictability seeps in from the edges, first-time director James McEvoy offers an invitation to a rap party that’s hard to resist as two Scottish MCs fake their way to the hip-hop top as Americans. Go to Full Review Danny Leigh Financial Times 2d
3/5
The movie is likeable, but spins a little wildly through its own mixed-up personas: fun-time caper; music biz cautionary tale; identity crisis psychodrama. Go to Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 4d
4/5
McAvoy wraps everything up a little too neatly with easy sentiment and lessons learnt. But it remains, until the end, a potent movie about bruised Scottish identity and the psychological perils of a pretender’s career. Go to Full Review Dulcie Pearce The Sun (UK) 1d
4/5
McAvoy, who also stars as an egomaniac record label boss, does a mighty fine job keeping the pace of this story going. Go to Full Review Amelia Harvey Frame Rated 1d
3/5
There was much more to unpack here, but McAvoy seemingly prefers a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of success and the importance of authenticity. Go to Full Review Hilary A White Irish Independent 2d
4/5
While charting a predictable course, the story about ambitious upstarts gaming the system is a timely one, with a fine little motor provided by its hard-working co-stars. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
California Schemin'

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Cast & Crew

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James McAvoy

Director

Seamus McLean Ross

Actor

Samuel Bottomley

Actor

Lucy Halliday

Actor

Rebekah Murrell

Actor

James McAvoy

Actor
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California Schemin'

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Movie Info

Synopsis Two Scottish lads from Dundee conned the music industry by pretending to be an established Californian rap duo, bagging a record deal and appearing on MTV until their scam unraveled.
Director
James McAvoy
Producer
Danny Page, Paul Aniello, Simon Kay, Michael Mendelsohn
Screenwriter
Archie Thomson, Elaine Gracie
Production Co
Patriot Pictures, Homefront Productions
Genre
Drama, Music
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 47m